Efficacy of levamisole against nematode infestations in dogs

Abstract

For endoparasitic infestations of dogs, drugs based on levamisole hydrochloride are used. That is why the purpose of the work was to conduct a field study to evaluate the effectiveness of the studied drug “Levamizole O.L.KAR 10 %” and the reference drug “Levamizole-plus 10 %” against endoparasitic infestations of dogs of different breeds, ages, and sexes. According to the results of a parasitological examination of the dogs of the experimental and control groups, endoparasites established spontaneous damage, the causative agents of nematodes of the alimentary canal: species Toxocara canis with an intensity of invasion (II) from 110 to 180 eggs in one gram of feces (EGF) with an average intensity of invasion of 149.0 ± 5.62 EGF, species Toxascaris leonina with an intensity of invasion from 75 to 131 EGF with an average intensity of invasion of 104.4 ± 4.85 EGF and the species Ancylostoma caninum with an intensity of invasion from 48 to 92 EGF with an average intensity of invasion of 69.9 ± 3.71 EGF. Clinically, nematodes of the alimentary canal in dogs were manifested by poor appetite, depressed state, pallor of mucous membranes, mild diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss observed in some animals. Based on the obtained results, it was established that the studied drug “Levamizol O.L.KAR 10 %” and the reference drug “Levamizol-plus 10 %” when deworming dogs have a pronounced nematodocidal effect against endoparasites of the alimentary canal, which are caused by the following species: Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonine, Ancylostoma caninum. Thus, the effectiveness of the studied drug “Levamizol O.L.KAR 10 %” for spontaneous toxocariasis infestation in dogs on the seventh day after deworming was 93 %. The reference drug “Levamizol-plus 10 %” was 91 %, and on the 14th day after deworming the animals, the effectiveness of the drugs was 100 %. For spontaneous toxascarosis infestation in dogs, the efficacy of the studied drug “Levamizol O.L.KAR 10 %” on the seventh day after deworming was 95 %. The reference drug “Levamizol-plus 10 %” was 94.4%, and on the 14th day after deworming the animals, the effectiveness of the drugs was 100 %. Helminthological studies have established that for spontaneous hookworm infestation in dogs on the 7th and 14th day after deworming with the study drug and the comparison drug in the recommended doses, the effectiveness of veterinary drugs was 100 %. Field tests showed that the studied drug “Levamizol O.L.KAR 10 %” and the reference drug “Levamizol-plus 10 %” when administered once orally in the recommended doses of the manufacturer, are well tolerated by animals regardless of breed, age, sex, and body weight, not have a toxic effect on the body of animals and are effective against nematodes of the alimentary canal in dogs.